On the Loire à Vélo route you encounter, not surprisingly, rather a lot of cyclists. From all over the world and in all shapes and sizes. At the risk of being accused - justifiably - of stereotyping, I make few observations:
The Dutch don't say hello as you pass them, they just ride past you, sitting upright (on their 'sit up and beg' bikes with enormously high handlebars) and barely, if at all, make eye contact. It gives then a haughty, 'Holier than thou' impression. I suppose that for them, passing other cyclists is something that happens regularly and often throughout the day back at home and you couldn't possibly say hello to every passing cyclist in Holland. When you see a couple riding well-equipped touring bikes, laden with both front and rear panniers and handlebar map bags, you can also be pretty sure that they will be Dutch.
Most French cyclists you encounter are the type dressed in full Lycra body suits, riding racing bikes, and riding fast. They are some of the few actually wearing helmets. For some reason, it seems to be accepted that when you're on a racing bike it's OK to wear a helmet, but on any other bike a helmet seems to be frowned upon as an unnecessary affectation. These guys come up from behind and rush past with purposeful pedaling; there's no hint of slowing down to say hello (they are on a mission, they aren't tourists). Coming the other way, they are often in pairs or small groups, invariably male and in midweek also middle-aged and older - the young male cyclists are at work earning the money to pay for their unbelievably expensive bikes. Very occasionally there is the slightest nod of recognition as they go past. There seem to be no female French racing cyclists. The other type of French riders are those on touring bikes with little or no luggage. The bikes are often electric. They have come by car, leaving the car and their luggage at the chambre d'hotes they are staying at, and they're just riding short day trips. Not necessarily a bad strategy come to think of it.
Then there are the adventurous young couples doing their European tour, often towing a trailer which sometimes contains one or more small children. Otherwise it contains a collection of everyday possessions, presumably essential for a cycling trip. There's also the occasional older couple doing a similar European tour; the sort we would call grey nomads if they were driving a camping car. These are grey nomads on a budget.
Occasionally you meet the lone clochard (tramp) on a bike with all his worldly possessions piled high on the bike, and even sometimes towing a trailer. It's sort of the cyclist's equivalent of the shopping trolley I suppose. His (they are always male) bike is old, solid, and trustworthy.
In peak season you'll also encounter the family day trippers; mum and dad leading a line of little kids enthusiastically (or sometimes reluctantly, depending on how long they've been at it) pedaling their little bikes. The kids will be wearing helmets (safety first, after all) but mum and dad will not. Nothing like seeing a good example after all. Depending on how long they've been riding dad will have fallen back to the rear of the line to catch the stragglers.
Then there's the walkers. A relatively rare breed. But since the Loire à Vélo route is often following the same path as the GR (Grande randonnée) routes, you do encounter the occasional booted and rucksacked walker, often swinging waking poles along in stride. Also encountered on occasion is the group of (usually older, and usually female) walkers on an organised day walk. They're walking in pairs and you often hear them before you see them, since they are having multiple discussions while they walk; the walking is more like a byproduct; the main aim of the outing is social.
Finally, usually only near larger towns, there's the joggers, many with backpack-style water containers and determined looks on their faces.
No comments:
Post a Comment